Launch of Shannonside Peace Arena
Launch of the Shannonside Peace Arena Project
Funders and partners gathered at the Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus this week to officially launch the Shannonside Peace Arena project. They were joined by community and local elected representatives, sporting clubs and governing bodies and local businesses to mark this important milestone in the development of the Shannonside Recreational Campus.
The Shannonside Peace Arena is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Leitrim County Council as the Lead Partner, in partnership with the Shannonside Recreation Campus committee (SRC), has been awarded €15,342,366 to develop the Shannonside Peace Arena. Match-funding has been provided by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural & Community Development in Ireland. In an area where there is a distinct lack of adequate sporting and recreational facilities the Shannonside Peace Arena (SPA) will create an iconic ‘transformative shared space’ which will include a state-of-the-art multi sports hub building and a high-performance gym catering for the sporting and recreational needs of clubs and communities throughout Leitrim and the region. An all-inclusive sports and recreational campus which will ensure that everyone – regardless of ability, age, or gender – can play, perform, and participate in their chosen sporting and recreational activity to the best of their ability.
It is also a testament to the commitment and drive of the local community with a voluntary committee working since 2013, and over the years endorsements coming from national sporting bodies, local clubs and schools and financial donations from local businesses, clubs and families.
The Shannonside Recreational Campus (SRC) is a transformative project that will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come and the Shannonside Peace Arena is the cornerstone of this project.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said: "I want to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the Shannonside Peace Arena project. Recently this initiative received approval for funding of more than €15.3 million from the European Union's PEACEPLUS program.
"I commend Leitrim County Council, Shannonside Recreational Campus and the 20 associated partners for the time and effort that went into drafting the application and who will be involved in the execution of the project. The Reimaging Communities Investment Area will support the creation of a more cohesive society through an increased provision of shared spaces and services, which will benefit and embed peace and reconciliation.
"I am delighted that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, together with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, will provide support for this outstanding Project. Long-term benefits from its successful implementation will accrue to the area.” Minister for Department for Communities Gordon Lyons, MLA said: “I would like to congratulate the Lead Partner, Leitrim County Council, and the Shannonside Recreation Campus Committee, in championing this project to date and securing €15m in PEACEPLUS funding. This will turn the vision for a new, inclusive, Shared Space facility, within Carrick-on-Shannon into a reality. The Shannonside Peace Arena is one of six projects supported through my Department on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive, under the Re-Imaging Communities Investment Area.
“As Communities Minister, it is my ambition to deliver policies and programmes, that will have real and meaningful impact, are sustainable and that will provide tangible, lasting benefits.
“In partnership with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), my Department has previously supported the delivery of 25 Shared Space projects through the PEACE Programme. These projects are all thriving and demonstrating daily the many positive and enduring impacts such investments can have, within communities and across society.
“I am confident that the Shannonside Peace Arena, once complete, will be a fabulous new Shared Community facility, promoting active participation in sport and community activities. It will provide a fantastic new venue to meet and build new and lasting relationships. I would like to wish all the stakeholders every success during the construction phase of this transformative project.”
SEUPB CEO Gina McIntyre said: “PEACEPLUS has a clear remit: to support activities that build peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland - and projects such as Shannonside Peace Arena and the other five planned shared spaces through the programme are crucial to realising that vision.
“The overall investment will increase cross-community and cross-border contact for thousands of participants by providing a new shared space. As evidenced in our earlier PEACE programmes, these spaces serve as visual beacons at the heart of communities and a changing society generally.
“Previously funded shared spaces have resulted in seismic attitudinal and behavioural changes within interface areas, as well as providing facilities and opportunities for those from a wide range of backgrounds to come together in safe, welcoming and inclusive surroundings.
“We recognise the role of projects such as this in creating a brighter, more hopeful, more prosperous and more cohesive future for all and we look forward to seeing this completed.”
Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Cllr Paddy O’Rourke added: “It will be transformative for all communities in Leitrim and the surrounding region bringing together clubs and organisations from all sporting and recreational interests to participate in sports, health and well-being and cultural activities. It is a great example of community, sporting associations, and local government working together to provide a multi-purpose and shared venue catering for the needs of many communities.”
Chairperson of the SRC committee Brendan Lowe said: “The SRC decided to apply for PEACEPLUS funding because we felt the aims of the programme and the ethos of the SRC were perfectly matched. Our vision is to create an all-inclusive recreational and sports campus where everyone – regardless of ability, age, gender, race, or religious background - can play, perform, and participate in their chosen sporting and recreational activity to the best of their ability. The SRC ethos and shared space ideology has the support of all the community and sporting bodies in the region.
“The application to SEUPB, while a gargantuan task, was a model of collaboration led by Leitrim County Council and assisted by a number of skilled and committed SRC volunteers. It has made us all very proud that we were able to align our vision with the SEPUB’s requirements and that they in turn rewarded us by recommending our project for funding with such a substantial amount of money.”
One of the key priorities for Leitrim County Council is the development of facilities to improve the health and wellness of our communities by improving access to participation in sports, recreation and healthy activities. Securing PEACEPLUS funding for the Shannonside Peace Arena is a vital part of this strategy. It will allow for increased engagement through sport and recreation promoting social inclusion, equality, and diversity.
Located just outside Carrick-on-Shannon, the Peace Arena will be easily accessible by bus, train, bicycle, and on foot, ensuring it serves not only local communities but the wider region as well. By offering state-of-the-art facilities, this project positions Leitrim as a more attractive place to live, work, and visit. It stands as a landmark development for our county, driving significant economic growth and enhancing our regional appeal.”